In Microsoft Outlook, the path `/Deletions/` is associated with the Deleted Items or Recoverable Items folder, specifically within the context of Exchange Server or Office 365 environments.
This folder is part of the hidden structure used to manage deleted emails that can be recovered. Here's a breakdown of its role and visibility:- Purpose of /Deletions/: This path typically points to the folder where items that have been "permanently" deleted from the Deleted Items folder are stored. When users delete emails from their mailbox, these items are first moved to the Deleted Items folder. If users then empty the Deleted Items folder or delete individual items from that folder, the items are moved to the `/Deletions/` folder within the Recoverable Items space.
- Recoverable Items Folder: This is a special folder that is hidden from the user's view in their email client (like Outlook). It's used to store deleted items for a certain period, allowing for recovery in cases of accidental deletion or for compliance and e-discovery purposes. The Recoverable Items folder contains several subfolders such as Deletions, Purges, and Versions.
- Visibility and Access: Users generally cannot see the `/Deletions/` path directly in their Outlook client because it is designed to be hidden to protect deleted data from being tampered with and to simplify the user interface. Access to this folder is typically through tools provided by IT administrators or through specific compliance and e-discovery procedures.
- Recovery from /Deletions/: If users need to recover items from the `/Deletions/` folder, they usually have to use the "Recover Deleted Items" feature in Outlook, which allows them to view and restore items that are still within the retention period set by the organization's email retention policy.
The ability to access and interact with the `/Deletions/` directory is usually controlled by administrative settings and policies within an organization, focusing on security and regulatory compliance. Thus, regular users do not see or interact with this path directly in their Outlook client.